9 Best Smelling Axe Body Spray Fragrances

Axe has been a popular brand of cheaply priced fragrances for decades now. I used to wear different body spray scents in high school, will still use the body washes and the deodorants, to this day. They’ve come out with seemingly endless scents under different names, but what are the best smelling Axe Body Spray scents for guys?


Quick Overview

🏆 Quick Overview: Top Picks

Best Overall — Kilo

Kilo is the best overall Axe pick because it has the most balanced profile of these scents and smells great. It is fresh, slightly spicy, sweet, smooth, calming, and masculine without becoming overly fruity or too sweet.

It also has the strongest nostalgia factor, since it was one of the standout Axe scents from the brand’s earlier era.

Best Newer Release — Golden Mango

Golden Mango is the best newish Axe release from the Fine Fragrance Collection. It blends mango, mandarin orange, and vetiver for a juicy tropical scent that still has a fresh woodsy backbone.

It feels more polished than a typical sweet body spray and has the best balance among the newer Axe scents that I’ve tried.

Best Sweet Scent — Dark Temptation

Dark Temptation is the best sweet/gourmand option if you want something warm, creamy, and compliment-friendly. The chocolate note gives it a delicious sweetness, while the vanilla undertone keeps it smooth.

It is one of the most memorable Axe scents because it feels more dessert-like and attention-grabbing than the cleaner fresh options.

Fragrance Best For Scent Profile Key Notes Vibe
Kilo Best overall Axe fragrance Fresh, slightly spicy, sweet, smooth Vanilla, light citrus, mint, possibly lavender Classic, masculine, balanced
Golden Mango Best new Axe release Juicy tropical fruit with fresh woods Mango, mandarin orange, vetiver Fresh, tropical, modern
Dark Temptation Top sweet/gourmand scent Warm creamy chocolate with vanilla sweetness Chocolate, vanilla undertone Sweet, delicious, compliment-friendly
Black Vanilla Alternative to Dark Temptation Smooth citrus-vanilla with sandalwood Black vanilla, sandalwood, orange essential oil Sweet, smooth, powerful
Aqua Bergamot Fresh aquatic body wash style Fresh aquatic citrus with herbal-green freshness Bergamot, sage, juniper Clean, energetic, blue-ish
Anarchy Best fruity warm-weather spray Masculine tropical fruit with amber and woods Amber, sandalwood, coconut, bergamot, fruit notes Youthful, smooth, tropical
Gold Fresh Iced Mint & Leather Top fresh Axe deodorant Crisp cold mint with smooth leather Iced mint, leather Clean, understated, cool-weather fresh
Excite Energetic cold-weather scent Sweet gourmand with nutty caramel warmth Coconut, hazelnut, caramel, woody base Warm, easy, cocoa-butter sweet
Gold Citron Great citron release Bright citrus with clean white woods Citrus blend, white woods Zesty, low-key, clean

Favorite Axe Body Sprays or Deodorant Scents

Best Overall Axe Fragrance

AXE Body Spray for Men, Kilo 4 oz (Pack of 6)– This is what I wore back in 10-11th grade. Kilo was utterly great, and got me complimented like crazy, from girls when I wore it.

Axe was popular back then, but there didn’t seem to be many guys around, that were wearing this particular scent…but it was my favorite, at the time. It was fresh, slightly spicy, and sweet.

As I recall, Kilo had a vanilla, light citrus, mint, and possibly lavender lineup of ingredients. It had an aromatic sort of freshness, with enough spice to give the spray and edge. I never see this one in stores locally anymore, but you can get it online still.

Kilo was like the perfect balance, out of the Axe collection of fragrances. Very smooth and calming, while still being masculine. Not overly fruity or sweet. Classic and still one of the best body sprays ever.


Best New Axe Release

Golden Mango– Axe has released some newer scents recently, under their ‘Fine Fragrances Collection’ banner. Golden Mango is my favorite of them, so far.

Mango, mandarin orange, and vetiver adding some fresh woodsy aroma to the mix. It’s actually got a good balance between the orange and mango notes, more of a juicy/tropical kind of aroma, than just generic sweetness.

The Fine Fragrance releases are supposed to last longer than the regular Axe scents. It seems to be the case, at least with the body wash. Body washes aren’t going to be perfume level performance, but it’s very good for the price.

Also, these higher-end and improved Axe scents use natural essential oils. So, here it is mandarin orange and vetiver oils.

top axe body wash


Top Sweet/Gourmand Scent

Axe Body Spray Dark Temptation– Warm and sweet, creamy chocolate with a vanilla undertone. Dark Temptation is delicious and this was one of the anti-perspirants that I wore, once I grew out of the body sprays.

Girls have always seemed to respond really well to this, the chocolate note just breeds complements. I used this deodorant a lot a number of years ago. I think that the body spray or the gel deodorant is better than the white stick deodorant.

Interestingly, if you want a cologne The Dua Brand now has their ‘inspired by’ take, available as a fragrance called: Temptation of the Dark.

The latter, seems to have more of a sweet powdery aroma, versus the other options.

I haven’t been seeing the gel deodorant around, but that was my favorite option. The white stick, could feel too sweet, at times. The body spray was on point, however. A potential alternative, could be Gold Temptation.


An Alternative to Dark Temptation

Black Vanilla– Black Vanilla is another newer one that I like from Axe. This one gives you a different type of sweet gourmand than that of the chocolatey Dark Temptation.

Here, it is less of the sweetness but the vanilla is surprisingly good, and the scent itself is pretty powerful for a body spray. The black vanilla is joined by sandalwood and orange essential oil.

A good mix of citrus and vanilla, giving it a smoother profile than the fragrance listed above. It’s still not my favorite of the newer releases, but it’s easy to see why Black Vanilla has become popular for an Axe spray.


Fresh Aquatic

Aqua Bergamot– This is another entry from the Fine Fragrance Collection. Aqua Bergamot is the second one that I enjoy, behind Golden Mango.

Aqua is a fresh, energetic, and somewhat aquatic blend. The citrus note here is bergamot and is not nearly as potent as those fruits in Mango.

This gets is freshness from a blend of sage and juniper. A bit of that sour bergamot, more juniper coming through for me versus the sage.

The style is a very classic ‘blue-ish’ sort of body wash. Basically, what most people think of with body wash. I don’t think I’d use the body spray, as my main go to, but I like the scent for taking showers.


Best Fruity/Warm Weather Spray

AXE Deodorant Body Spray Anarchy 150 Ml / 5.07 Oz (Pack of 6) With notes of amber, sandalwood, and fruits (I pick up coconut and bergamot), Anarchy has a rich and smooth profile, much like Dark Temptation. It smells great while maintaining a fresh, youthful vibe.

Anarchy is a masculine tropical fragrance. It is youthful and does have the sharper bergamot note, at the start, but settles down into a delightful aroma. The amber is a great addition.

The fruit notes, give the top and opening creaminess, and light sharpness from citrus. There might actually be some other types of fruit in there, that’s too difficult to discern.

Nonetheless, the amber warmth, and woody base really does a great job at tying it all together. My Review of Anarchy


Top Fresh Axe Deodorant

Axe Gold Fresh Iced Mint & Leather– This is actually my current anti-perspirant deodorant, that I use each day (Update: was back in 2018 or so, don’t see it for sale much anymore).

A lot of people don’t seem to like the body sprays from Axe (or at least its associations with high school kids) and while I don’t wear those anymore, the deodorant sticks are great. They last all day and don’t quit.

Axe Gold Fresh is a crisp and cold mint with a smooth and rich leather aroma. I love it. It’s a relatively simple pairing, but one that doesn’t seem to happen often. Gold Fresh is an understated and clean option, that really shines, when the temperature drops.

There’s also another Gold Fresh option which pairs oud and leather. It’s more of a dry woodsy take, on this formula. I wore that one, for a while also, and prefer it in some ways.


 

Energetic Cold Weather Scent

Axe EXCITE Body Spray & Deodorant. 48 HOUR ODOR PROTECTION! Energized & Fresh! (6 Cans, 5oz each Can) Axe Excite relies on coconut, hazelnut, and caramel to create a sweet gourmand fragrance with a woody base.

It’s sweetness has a cocoa butter vibe, in my mind. I like it and will use this body wash, when I can grab a bottle on sale.

Excite and Anarchy share that coconut ingredient. However, Anarchy is the fruitier fragrance of the two, with a lighter aroma. Anarchy feels more suited towards warmer weather, than Excite.

This one seems more appropriate in the colder months of the year. The coconut doesn’t make it too tropical versus the nutty and caramel notes. This one is really easy to wear,  as it isn’t too in your face or spicy. Axe Excite Review


Great Citron Release

Axe Gold Citron– This one isn’t super complicated, but it’s a very nice new release from the brand.

A citrus blend with white woods that is fresh and quite bright. Gold Citron does what so many popular men’s fragrances do, by pairing that chilled citrus aroma along with a woody base.

It’s a nice wear for the summer months and isn’t as ‘in your face’ as many others from the Axe line of scents.

Attractive, low-key, but one that is a great experience for those who want a zesty and clean fragrance throughout the day.


Axe Body Spray and Wash FAQ

Is Axe Dark Temptation a good scent?

Is a sweet and warm scent. The chocolate aroma does have a thickness to it and that sort of sugary appeal, without going too far into that territory. Nice powdery finish to it. I enjoyed wearing this when I was younger. Do you want to smell like chocolate? It’s a good scent for those who enjoy that.

Which Axe scent is best for teenagers?

All of them. That’s the main demographic of this brand. My picks for the best are all listed above.

How many sprays of Axe body spray should you use?

You probably don’t need more than 2-3, in most situations. Especially, if you’re inside in an enclosed area with other people all day. Axe projects more than you think it does and you don’t really have to overdo it.

Can Axe body spray replace cologne?

For teenagers, sure. There is a big difference in quality between most fragrances and a can of Axe Body Spray. Not just in terms of how each smells, the depth, how it develops, and the performance that you get from each. Axe is a very inexpensive solution to smelling better, but at some point, you’ll want to graduate to something of higher quality.

Axe Peace Shower Gel Fragrance Review

It’s been a while since I have done a fragrance review on the site, so I thought that I’d do another overview from the Axe line of shower gels. In today’s post, I’d like to take a closer look at Axe’s scent, Peace for men.

 

 

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Notes include: musk, woods, fruit zest

Axe Peace Body Spray for Men, 4 Oz (3 Pack)

 

Axe Peace is a pretty interesting scent, at least as far as body washes are concerned. It has a bit of an aquatic, almost summertime feel to it, which I would venture a guess that the ‘fruit zest’ notes provide. I can’t quite detect what fruit note it is but it seems like a subtle citrus, nothing too sweet or overpowering but very clean.

The longevity of this scent actually seems better than the other scent in the Axe line. The body wash can still be detected on my skin hours later and it actually does a good job of projecting for a solid time period as well. I imagine the body spray probably would be a pretty long lasting scent as well.

How would I rank Peace versus the other Axe fragrances? I would put this one near the top. It would totally depend what you’re in the mood for but if you want something that is fresh, not too sweet, and masculine this one would do the trick. The clean citrus notes are joined by the warmth/spiciness of the musk note as well as a woody heart that gives it that air of masculinity. This is definitely a pleasant smelling scent and for what it is, worth a try.

Axe Excite Shower Gel Fragrance Review

I have been reviewing many different fragrances here on the site over the past few months. Among them, is the Axe line of shower gels that have become so popular in the last 15 years or so.

Now, I haven’t worn the body spray since high school but since I can usually get a good price on the shower gel, I like to use it to clean myself up.

In this post, I want to take a closer look at Excite, which is a newer edition to this brand and see where it ranks among the other Axe options.


Axe Excite Overview

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Notes include: caramel, hazelnut, coconut


My Full Review

Axe Excite is described as a woodsy based scent but to me it’s more of a sweet gourmand in a lot of ways.

While there does seem to be woods influences with the hazelnut note and perhaps some other notes that I’m not aware of, I really do get a sweet and rich lather from this bottle of Axe.

The hazelnut note is also found in Very Irresistible by Givenchy, however, that is more of a coffee/mocha type of scent. Excite is more of  a cocoa butter type of scent with an extra candy-like sweetness to it provided by the coconut to go along with a woodsy base.

Like the other Axe scents, it’s a very linear experience. Meaning, the scent really doesn’t have a dry down period where it transforms, like colognes would.

The longevity and projection of the shower gel are both average. The Axe body sprays do tend to last most of the day and can be quite potent, so they shouldn’t be used to the extreme in terms of amount.

How would I rank Axe Excite compared to other scents from this line? Out of the one’s I have reviewed on the site, I’d put it behind Anarchy in the second spot.

However, there are other Axe scents that I haven’t reviewed yet, that I think are better also (Gold/Dark Temptation, Kilo, and some others I don’t think are made any longer).

Overall, though, I do like Axe Excite a lot as a shower gel. It is stimulating and quite alluring in it’s presentation. It’s a very creamy and rich sort of smell, that is quite pleasing for the price.

Axe Apollo Fragrance Review

This is going to be my fourth review of an Axe scent and another one from the standard label (for White Label reviews, see: Forest and Night). For this post, I’m going to give my thoughts on the Apollo scent from Axe. This was sort of a blind buy because I needed some shower gel while I was at the store, this happened to be on sale, and I also just liked the name (Greek mythology ftw). What did I think of this fragrance? Read below to find out.

 

 

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Notes include: sandalwood, sage, and mandarin

 

Let me say from the start that I only sort of like Axe Apollo. I do think that it smells good. However, I do not put it on the same level as the best scents from Axe. I’ve noticed that they like to use a sandalwood note in many of their products (including: Anarchy), since it tends to provide that smooth and fresh scent that people enjoy. Apollo is definitely a fresh scent, it is quite cool and crisp with some spice provided by the sage note.

I think the sage note is what isn’t really capturing my attention. Overall, the scent just feels sort of flat and less dynamic than some others. It is a burst of cold spice, that while pleasant, doesn’t really keep you coming back for more. I did use the whole bottle of shower gel and definitely didn’t mind it. I felt clean and like it didn’t bother me or put me off at all. It was just lacking something and the mandarin note seems a little bit weak as well.

Some guys out there might really enjoy using Apollo. I just thought it was so so. In my opinion the best of Axe seems to be: Anarchy, Kilo, Dark/Gold Temptation, Harmony, and one other that I don’t think they make any longer.

Axe Anarchy for Him Shower Gel Review

I have already done a few reviews on Unilever’s Axe products from their White Label line of scents (Forest and Night). Now, I want to step away from the White Label and review a selection from its standard line of scents. I have been using Axe Anarchy for Him, as a shower gel for the past few days and want to briefly give my thoughts and experiences with this product.

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Notes include: amber, sandalwood, and fruit notes.

Upon my first sniff of Anarchy, I immediately liked it better than the two white label entries that I had tried so far (which I actually liked) and some of the other Axe scents I have used before. It almost reminded me of Axe’s Dark Temptation or Gold Temptation, in its rich quality. However, it doesn’t have the same chocolate notes and the fruit notes begin to emerge. I get a sensation of perhaps, bergamot, and a bit of coconut for good measure.

The sandalwood and amber give it that smooth aroma while those fruit notes create a really wonderful dynamic (sort of 1 Million-ish). I find Anarchy for Him to be quite refreshing and think that it smells very good for what it is. Obviously, this is just a shower gel, so its longevity and projection aren’t going to be great. The body spray should provide much more in that area and provides a cheap alternative to cologne for younger guys.

Overall, I’d say this is in the upper echelon of scents from Axe. I haven’t actually worn the body spray since my early high school days but this is just as good as any of them. Give it a try in whatever form you need, deodorant, shower gel, body spray, as it is a great fresh and sweet scent at a rock bottom price.